About U3A
What is U3A?
The University of the Third Age,
U3A,
is an organisation offering all kinds of educational, creative and leisure
activities to anyone who is no longer in full-time, gainful employment.
Members organise their own activities and use their skill and knowledge to
form self-help groups. Retired people of any age may join. No qualifications
are required and none is awarded.
Origins
The seeds for 'Lifelong Learning for
Older People' were sown at the Summer School of the Université du Troisième
Age held in Toulouse in 1972. This led within a year to the formation of the
'International Association of U3As' (AIUTA). The movement soon became
worldwide.
In the UK, the U3A started with the
creation of the 'Third Age Trust' in 1982 as registered charity and limited
company. It was decided early on to adopt an approach that was independent of
the universities. It was realised that Third Agers themselves had the skills
to organise and teach in their own autonomous learning groups, the local U3As.
The principle was to be not "they teach us" but "we teach one another". In
Europe and America development has been more dependent on the universities.
There are now some 400 U3A's
throughout the United Kingdom with a total membership about 100,000. Each
local U3A develops its own character in response to local needs and resources.
Because a U3A is in effect a co-operative and has no campus of its own, fees
are low.
Romsey & District U3A
Romsey & District U3A was started in
March, 1999 with a meeting in the Community Lounge at the Romsey School. There
are now 450 members.
To see details of our current range of
study groups and activities click
here. If your
particular interest is not covered, why not investigate the possibility of
starting your own group? With 450 members looking for new
challenges, you have every chance. It is not always necessary to be able to
"teach"; you and your group can explore and develop your subject together.
Questions?
If you have any further questions you
may wish to contact the Membership Secretary.
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Write to:
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Romsey U3A Membership Secretary,
Chilterns, Crawley Hill, West Wellow,
Romsey, SO51 6AP
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or email:
membership@romseyu3a.hampshire.org.uk
